Dendrobium moschatum

Purely accidentally, the Cordyline fruticosa 'Exotica' offered her beautiful leaves as backdrop for the orchid flowers. I'm thinking its a good match. 

Thought for the Weekend

“I must have flowers, always, and always.” 

[Claude Monet]

And one more Phalaenopsis

White is my favorite flower color, I just can't walk by and not bring it home

A little about Moth Orchids

Phalaenopsis, sometimes called Moth Orchids, start flowering in my yard in spring. The cooler winter temperature triggers the set of flower spikes. 

Phals are easy orchids, so affordable, and the flowers last for months.  With a little care, they will thank you with an abundance of gorgeous flowers.

The poor man's orchid

Epidendrum radicans

Called a poor man's orchid in old times when orchids were only for the rich and the reed-stem orchids were available, affordable and easy to care for.

An Orchid for the Florida Garden

Oncidium sphacelatum is native to Mexico and is a perfect orchid for the Florida garden.  It grows well in shade or in a sunny place (with some midday shade) and is happy with the occasional orchid fertilizer. This plant likes daily watering in summer with a dry and cool rest period during winter. 

I received a small share of three pseudo bulbs back in 2000 and since then it kept growing and growing… 
here is a picture of it in 2007,  it still fit nicely into a wooden orchid basket. The flower racemes are over 4 feet long.

look what's blooming

Got this Ascocenda orchid as a small seedling at a Plant Sale two years ago. There just was a huge bin and a price tag saying '1 for $1'. This is the first time it blooms for me

Plant Sale at Harry P. Leu Gardens

Today started the 2 day annual Plant Sale at Harry P. Leu Gardens.

 Being members we had the advantage to get in an hour early. This means by the time the crowds start rushing in, we were able to walk around the entire sales and I had done my shopping.

Blue Vanda

Finally back home again! After an extended vacation of 2 months the daily life has me back. The garden is a jungle, I will need a machete for sure, and I do dread it a little. But as if to say 'hello, glad you are back with us, we missed you so much', this orchid is flowering by my driveway, right there were I could see it first thing coming home.

The Florida Butterfly Orchid

A Florida Native, the Florida Butterfly Orchid, Encyclia tampensis

Flower Shower

It's about time for another Orchid post ;-)

Here is my favorite orchid, the Dendrobium cuculatum (Den. aphyllum), a 4 ft (1.2 m) long  flower spring shower!

I bought this orchid as a small keiki at an orchid show about 12 years ago and ever since I love it!

Vanda Orchids in Myrtle Glen

For me here in Central Florida the Vanda orchids are one of the easiest orchids to grow.  Most of the hybrids flower several times a year.

Vanda 'Evening Sun'

is it harmless?

oh lookie, a bloom on one of my orchids a generous gardening friend shared with me:

Bulbophyllum putidum

now take a closer look:

chilly

We have a cold front visiting us, tonight the temperatures are supposed to go as low as 50F.
50F is that magic number when I bring in my Vanda orchids. Yes, they may take lower temperatures without damage, but in my experience they will flower earlier come next spring.

Vanda Cindy Banks Hilltop